Poyet played for Grenoble, River Plate, Real Zaragoza, Chelsea and Tottenham during his playing career.

Poyet worked as coach at Swindon, Tottenham and Leeds before becoming Brighton manager in 2009.

Poyet led Brighton to the League One title in his first full season in charge and took them to Championship finishes of 10th and fourth, losing in the play-offs semi-finals to Crystal Palace, before his exit.

Poyet's son Diego is part of Charlton's academy and has played for England Under-16s.

What He's Said "My opportunity to manage Sunderland is there. I'm waiting. Nervously. Since the start of the season, I've dedicated myself to watching the games of teams that might call me if things weren't going too well." Daily Mirror.

Paper Talk

The People, September 29 Guy Poyet faces an anxious wait before finding out whether he will be handed the reins at Sunderland.

Daily Star, September 28 Fulham could rival Sunderland for Gus Poyet as Martin Jol battles to keep his job.

The Sun, September 27 Gus Poyet could be made to wait until next week before finding out if he's the new Sunderland boss.

Daily Mirror, September 27 Sunderland owner Ellis Short is set to offer the manager's job to Gus Poyet after lengthy negotiations.

Daily Mirror, September 26 Gus Poyet claims he has been offered the chance to manage Sunderland - but is still waiting nervously for Ellis Short to seal the deal.

Daily Express, September 26 Gus Poyet is the choice of Sunderland director of football Roberto Di Fanti to put a smile back on the faces of the players - but the Italian will have a job persuading owner Ellis Short.

Daily Telegraph, September 26 Gus Poyet has confirmed he is nervously waiting to hear whether his bid to become Sunderland's manager has been successful.

Daily Mirror, September 25 Gus Poyet is set to be offered the Sunderland manager's job, with director of football Roberto De Fanti wanting a young "tracksuit" manager with good man-management skills.

Our View

Poyet is definitely the man leading the race with his name featuring all over the press during the last week as favourite for the job. He turned Brighton from a struggling League One side to Championship promotion contenders during his successful tenure at the Amex Stadium but the relationship with the Seagulls did end in tears. However, don't let that stop you appreciating the fine job he did on the south coast. Premier League management would be a new challenge for the Uruguayan but Di Canio had even less experience when he became Sunderland boss. A worthy favourite but there are other contenders to consider.

Meulensteen coached in Qatar following the start of his time on the touchline at the end of his playing career with NEC Nijmegen.

Meulensteen worked as a coach at Manchester United between 2001 and 2013 bar a short spell as manager of Danish club Brondby.

The Red Devils won the Premier League three times, the Champions League in 2007/08 and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2008 during Meulensteen's time working with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Meulensteen only lasted 16 days as manager of Anzhi Makhachkala as the club's playing budget was slashed with big name players like Chelsea's Willian leaving.

Our View

Meulensteen has a great reputation from his time working at Manchester United and is being linked with every manager's job that now comes up. He was heavily touted as Roberto Martinez's replacement at Wigan before Owen Coyle took over in the summer and his subsequent time in charge of Anzhi didn't leave many memories. We have seen Steve McClaren and Brian Kidd get to step up from a coaching role at Old Trafford to being in charge of a Premier League club so could the Dutchman be next? Maybe but not necessarily at Sunderland with his name being touted for Fulham as Martin Jol finds himself under pressure.

Zola's successful playing career took him to Nuorese, Torres, Napoli, Parma, Chelsea and Cagliari.

Zola was awarded an OBE by the British ambassador to Italy in 2004.

West Ham finished ninth after Zola took over as manager in September of the 2008/2009 season. They finished 17th in the next campaign and Zola was sacked to be replaced by Avram Grant.

Watford lost in the Championship play-off final to Crystal Palace at the end of Zola's first season in charge.

What He's Said "Of course I am flattered that I have been considered but I am really happy over here (at Watford) and like what I am doing. I think my growth as a manager has been massive and so I want to fulfil this task that I will be here."

Paper Talk

Daily Mirror, September 24 Watford boss Gianfranco Zola is the shock name on Sunderland's managerial shortlist after the sacking of Paolo Di Canio.

Our View

It would be a surprise to see Zola swap Watford for a long journey north. The Hornets are once again in the Championship promotion race and a move to Sunderland would see him enter the heat of the Premier League relegation battle. The Italian has already played down talk linking with the job so it would take a change of heart to see him enter the running.

Ball played for Sunderland between 1990 and 1997 - twice winning the First Division (Championship) title.

Ball also played for Coventry, Portsmouth, Fulham and Burnley during his playing career.

Senior professional development coach was Ball's role at Sunderland prior to taking temporary charge of the first-team.

Ball was previously caretaker manager of Sunderland for 10 games between March and May in 2007 after Mick McCarthy was sacked on the way to relegation from the Premier League.

What He's Said "Anybody who is anybody would like to be considered for it. In the sense of what I have done as a coach or a player and not only that, my qualifications I have gone out and got as a coach, I would like to be considered. But ultimately, that's the club's decision and I would go with that, whether it was me or someone else, they would have my full support."

Paper Talk

Daily Star,

September 26 Kevin Ball has turned Sunderland into 'Funderland' since picking up the pieces following Paolo Di Canio's botched revolution

Our View

If possession is nine-tenths of the law then Ball has a good shot at moving from caretaker charge to a more permanent arrangement. He has led the team to Capital One Cup victory over Peterborough and the defeat against Liverpool during his opening couple of games and is clearly well regarded by the Sunderland fans. He has served the club well during both his playing and coaching career but is relying on others to leave the chase if he is to get the nod. That doesn't mean he should be ruled out entirely just yet.

Pearce made 78 appearances for England during his international career and played his club football for Wealdstone, Coventry, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, West Ham and Manchester City.

Pearce was caretaker player-manager of Nottingham Forest between December 1996 and March 1997 during a season which saw the club relegated from the Premier League.

Pearce worked as a coach under Kevin Keegan at Manchester City before taking the top job at the club.

Pearce took charge of England's friendly against Holland in February 2012 and the Three Lions lost 3-2.

Our View

Pearce is a surprise candidate after attracting interest with the bookies. The 51-year-old's stock isn't very high after the awful end to his tenure as England Under-21 coach and the Sunderland fans will also have noted his time spent playing for Newcastle. He would clearly be very interested in the job but the likes of Poyet and Zola currently have a much greater standing on the managerial merry-go-round.